Epstein files vote: Here's who voted against releasing the Epstein files

Potential redactions considered for Epstein files

The House and Senate have now passed a bipartisan bill forcing the Justice Department to publicly release files related to Jeffrey Epstein, overcoming previous opposition. We are hearing tonight that the attorney general may redact or withhold portions containing personal information. LiveNOW’s Austin Westfall reports on possible redactions with Washington Examiner Justice Department reporter Kaelan Deese.

WASHINGTON - The House on Tuesday voted overwhelmingly in favor of a bill that would force the Department of Justice to publicly release files on Jeffrey Epstein.

And while almost all lawmakers voted yes to make those files public, one did not. 

BREAKING: House passes 'Epstein files' release bill

A bill which clears the way to begin releasing the documents known as the "Epstein files" was passed in the US House on Tuesday, with the bill now headed to the Senate.

Here’s how House members voted on the Jeffrey Epstein file release bill: 

1 voted no

Dig deeper:

The bill passed 427-1, with the only no vote coming from Rep. Clay Higgins, a Louisiana Republican who is a fervent supporter of Trump. He also chairs a subcommittee that initiated a subpoena from the Justice Department for the Epstein files.

FILE - US Attorney for the Southern District of New York Geoffrey Berman announces charges against Jeffery Epstein on July 8, 2019 in New York City. (Photo by Stephanie Keith/Getty Images)

What they're saying:

FILE - Subcommittee Chair Rep. Clay Higgins (R-LA) speaks to reporters about the Epstein files after calling a recess in a hearing with the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform Subcommittee on Federal Law Enforcement in the Rayburn Hous

Expand

"I have been principled ‘NO’ on this bill from the beginning," Higgins wrote in a tweet on X. "What was wrong with the bill three months ago is still wrong today. It abandons 250 years of criminal justice procedure in America. As written, this bill reveals and injures thousands of innocent people – witnesses, people who provided alibis, family members, etc. If enacted in its current form, this type of broad reveal of criminal investigative files, released to a rabid media, will absolutely result in innocent people being hurt. Not by my vote," Higgins wrote in part. 

Senate OKs bill, sends to Trump

The Senate quickly and unanimously voted to pass the bill, which will now head to President Donald Trump's desk for his signature. 

What does the bill do?

Why you should care:

The bill would force the Justice Department to release all files and communications related to Epstein, as well as any information about the investigation into his death in federal prison. Information about Epstein’s victims or continuing federal investigations would be allowed to be redacted, per the bill.

The department, however, would not be allowed to redact information due to "embarrassment, reputational harm, or political sensitivity, including to any government official, public figure, or foreign dignitary."

Several survivors of Epstein’s abuse, joined by lawmakers, also plan to speak outside the Capitol on Tuesday morning.